This is the story of Bacon's Rebellion as I understand it from different primary and secondary sources. I found that some sources leave certain events out or spin them a different way, probably to paint themselves in a better light. I will try to point out the bias I find and where different accounts differ.
Problems before the Rebellion
Although Virginia's colony was well established by the 1670s, there had been a dip in tobacco prices and increased competition from neighboring colonies to sell their chief product in England. England had also been raising their prices of goods being sold in the colony, so the economy wasn't doing great at the time. Also the weather had been rough for a year or so (globalsecurity.org). The colonists were looking for someone to blame or take things out on and the Indians seemed like the easiest choice.
What Started It?
Most of the accounts attribute the spark for this conflict to a raid by Doeg Indians on a plantation belonging to Thomas Mathew (or Mathews) that resulted in one of his plantation overseers getting killed. However, the globalsecurity website article says that the Indians had attacked him because he had not paid for some things he had gotten from that tribe.
Regardless of what sparked it, the colonists tried to chase down the Indians and apparently not only killed them, but also 14 friendly Indians who happened to be in the same area. Of course the Indians responded with increased attacks on the settlers and it went back and forth with increasing violence. Nathaniel Bacon, a wealthy landowner, became the leader of the settlers who were determined to chase down the attacking Indians.
What would the Governor Do?
Governor Berkeley, who had gained fame as an Indian fighter in Virginia, was determined to protect the good relationship that had been developed with friendly tribes. He proposed setting up a defensive perimeter and playing a defensive role instead of attacking all Indians or sending someone out to fight the attacking Indians. He also called the Assembly (like the legislature) to meet in June to decide on some long-term solutions.
This solution wasn't to Bacon's liking. Perhaps that was because the Governor lived in the city where the attacks never reached, or because he wanted to increase his personal political power fighting them, or because the people didn't want to see their taxes raised to pay for the defensive perimeter. For whatever reason, Bacon continued to attack the Indians, making little distinction of whether they were friendly or not.
The Assembly Meets
Bacon gets elected to represent his area at the Assembly, but he gets arrested for disobeying the governor as soon as he shows up. The governor releases him, but it is unclear whether he did so because he thought Bacon would settle down or because Bacon's soldiers threatened to take over the city. Bacon insists on a commission to fight the Indians and when he doesn't get it, he essentially takes the whole Assembly hostage until he gets it.
The Rebellion Gets Personal
Bacon goes off, and in addition to fighting the Indians, he starts to set up his own government. He distributes a declaration to the people that lists a bunch of things that Berkeley has done - reasons that he should be removed as governor. The reasons are not just that he doesn't protect the settlers from the Indians, but also that he plays favorites, giving political offices and economic monopolies to his friends.
The End of the Fighting
Both sides have armies, several hundred people strong, and they battle back and forth for control. Berkeley even has some men who have infiltrated Bacon's forces and Bacon begins to fight a guerrilla war, running away and launching sneak attacks. This may have even caused Bacon's sudden death at the end of October of 1676. He was never captured, and his body was never found. Most reports say he died of a disease, probably dysentery, and that he had a bad case of body lice. Without Bacon, the rebellion fell apart and Berkeley was able to capture or kill most of the leaders of the rebellion.
After the Fighting
Governor Berkeley had 23 men killed for leading the rebellion. He was reported to the crown in England and he was removed as governor and recalled to England to defend his actions. While there he died in July 1677.
This is the story of Bacon's Rebellion as I understand it from different primary and secondary sources. I found that some sources leave certain events out or spin them a different way, probably to paint themselves in a better light. I will try to point out the bias I find and where different accounts differ.
Problems before the Rebellion
Although Virginia's colony was well established by the 1670s, there had been a dip in tobacco prices and increased competition from neighboring colonies to sell their chief product in England. England had also been raising their prices of goods being sold in the colony, so the economy wasn't doing great at the time. Also the weather had been rough for a year or so (globalsecurity.org). The colonists were looking for someone to blame or take things out on and the Indians seemed like the easiest choice.
What Started It?
Most of the accounts attribute the spark for this conflict to a raid by Doeg Indians on a plantation belonging to Thomas Mathew (or Mathews) that resulted in one of his plantation overseers getting killed. However, the globalsecurity website article says that the Indians had attacked him because he had not paid for some things he had gotten from that tribe.
Regardless of what sparked it, the colonists tried to chase down the Indians and apparently not only killed them, but also 14 friendly Indians who happened to be in the same area. Of course the Indians responded with increased attacks on the settlers and it went back and forth with increasing violence. Nathaniel Bacon, a wealthy landowner, became the leader of the settlers who were determined to chase down the attacking Indians.
What would the Governor Do?
Governor Berkeley, who had gained fame as an Indian fighter in Virginia, was determined to protect the good relationship that had been developed with friendly tribes. He proposed setting up a defensive perimeter and playing a defensive role instead of attacking all Indians or sending someone out to fight the attacking Indians. He also called the Assembly (like the legislature) to meet in June to decide on some long-term solutions.
This solution wasn't to Bacon's liking. Perhaps that was because the Governor lived in the city where the attacks never reached, or because he wanted to increase his personal political power fighting them, or because the people didn't want to see their taxes raised to pay for the defensive perimeter. For whatever reason, Bacon continued to attack the Indians, making little distinction of whether they were friendly or not.
The Assembly Meets
Bacon gets elected to represent his area at the Assembly, but he gets arrested for disobeying the governor as soon as he shows up. The governor releases him, but it is unclear whether he did so because he thought Bacon would settle down or because Bacon's soldiers threatened to take over the city. Bacon insists on a commission to fight the Indians and when he doesn't get it, he essentially takes the whole Assembly hostage until he gets it.
The Rebellion Gets Personal
Bacon goes off, and in addition to fighting the Indians, he starts to set up his own government. He distributes a declaration to the people that lists a bunch of things that Berkeley has done - reasons that he should be removed as governor. The reasons are not just that he doesn't protect the settlers from the Indians, but also that he plays favorites, giving political offices and economic monopolies to his friends.
The End of the Fighting
Both sides have armies, several hundred people strong, and they battle back and forth for control. Berkeley even has some men who have infiltrated Bacon's forces and Bacon begins to fight a guerrilla war, running away and launching sneak attacks. This may have even caused Bacon's sudden death at the end of October of 1676. He was never captured, and his body was never found. Most reports say he died of a disease, probably dysentery, and that he had a bad case of body lice. Without Bacon, the rebellion fell apart and Berkeley was able to capture or kill most of the leaders of the rebellion.
After the Fighting
Governor Berkeley had 23 men killed for leading the rebellion. He was reported to the crown in England and he was removed as governor and recalled to England to defend his actions. While there he died in July 1677.
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